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Continue reading →: Ministry to those with Dementia and Alzheimers: Review of “Ministry of the Forgotten,” by Kenneth Carder
By Joe LaGuardia Several years ago, I ran a caregiving ministry for those whose parents were aging (a few had spouses for whom they cared), and I made visitation to their care receivers a top priority. A majority of care receivers suffered from dementia and dementia-related diseases. I assumed that…
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Continue reading →: Race and Justice: Moving from Protest to Action
By Joe LaGuardia Now that protests are waning, the question becomes, “Now what?” What are you going to do about racism, discrimination and prejudice aside from marching around the block a few times? Now its not about slogans or whitty tweets. Now is about shifting our entire culture away from…
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Continue reading →: Race, Rage, Wrestling with Silence, and the Disinherited
By Joe LaGuardia My friends have been telling people that we can’t stay silent in exposing racism. In the face of the deaths of people of color — Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, and Breonna Taylor most recently – staying silent is counted as complicit as the murders themselves. So I’ve…
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Continue reading →: Wrestling with Masks, Coronavirus, and CPAPS. Or not…
By Joe LaGuardia Churches are facing unprecedented times in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. At first, we were all united in our efforts to keep people engaged and worshiping at home. We invested in online platforms, learned how to speak into cameras (an audience of one), and utilized crowd-sourcing…
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Continue reading →: Household Codes, 1 Peter, and the Liberation of a “Text of Terror”
By Joe LaGuardia In a sermon (see below) delivered on 3 May 2020, I explore the meaning– and gospel truth– of “Household codes”, as they are often called: Those scriptures that inform how Christians are to relate to others, including spouses, governments, and (for slaves) masters and parents in non-Christian…
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Continue reading →: Pastor’s Reading List and Library for 2020
By Joe LaGuardia Unlike some other leaders, who propose what they will read for the year, I began a habit last year of only noting–and providing a brief review–of the books I actually read. I pray this will enlighten you and perhaps inspire your own habits of reading. 1. Diary,…
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Continue reading →: Top 10 Books on Church Ministry and Leadership
By Joe LaGuardia Last year, following a mission trip to Cuba, I wrote a lengthy blog series on books that have shaped my ministry, faith, and life. During this season of COVID-19, I decided to revisit my bookshelf and narrow down, as impossible as it was, the top 10 books…
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Continue reading →: 8 Ways to Worship During Holy Week, Easter, and the Coronavirus
By Joe LaGuardia This is a first in history: Celebrating the Risen Savior via a digital Easter. I know its campy, but just consider that the tomb couldn’t hold Jesus, and a virus can’t hold him either! Nor can a virus hinder God’s people from worship. Upon entering Jerusalem so…
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Continue reading →: PTSD, Pastors, and a Program for Healing
By Joe LaGuardia I had a spell of post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) today. I am writing while it is still fresh in my mind. People who suffer from PTSD never know when it is going to hit. We try to identify triggers, but sometimes they are unavoidable. Living in these…
Engaging Heart, Mind, and Soul
Rev. Dr. Joe LaGuardia
Rev. Dr. Joe LaGuardia is a pastor, writer, and chaplain residing in Florida. He is author of three books and regular contributor to Smyth & Helwys’ Formations Series. His articles have appeared in USA Today, Baptist News Global, Christian Ethics Today, TCPalm, and Rockdale Citizen.
Baptist Spirituality explores the intersection of faith and culture incorporating biblical scholarship, culture and the arts, politics, science, and theology.
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